Mark Porteous

Better known to his softball whānau as ‘Porty’, Mark Porteous has had an extraordinary year of delivering quality softball umpiring, and having fun while doing it! A member of the National Umpiring Staff since 2013, the Regional Director of Umpiring for the Northern Region and President of the North Harbour Umpires’ Association since 2008, Porty participated in his first international assignment as a Lead Facilitator for WBSC in Incheon, South Korea – April 2023 teaching and evaluating candidates for their international umpiring license. On the back of this he opened up his on-field 2023-2024 account with appointments to the WBSC Under 18 Women’s & WBSC Men’s World Cup Qualifier in American Samoa (November 2023), returning to New Zealand and covering the National Fastpitch Championship Men’s, before topping his season off with his appointment on the dish for the Men’s Open Club Nationals Final in Hutt Valley (March 2024).

Off the field you can find him deep in the rule book examining and re-examining our rules and case plays for international review. He has contributed significantly to the sport, and is inspiring his region, and those around him, to keep lifting and being the best they can be in the ‘Yard’!

Mark Porteous is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Umpire of the Year Award for 2024